parasitoid
noun
par·a·sit·oid
ˈper-ə-sə-ˌtȯid 
-ˌsī-,
ˈpa-rə-
: an insect and especially a wasp that completes its larval development within the body of another insect eventually killing it and is free-living as an adult
parasitoid
adjective
Examples of parasitoid in a Sentence
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This study is supported by the National Science Foundation, which in 2024 awarded a $305,209 grant to Binghamton University for research into the diversity of oak gall wasps and parasitoids throughout North America.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Though there are many variations of parasitoids, the most famous example is probably Cotesia glomerata, a parasitoid wasp that preys on caterpillars.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 July 2025
These true friends include parasitoids, predators, predatory mites and beneficial nematodes.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
However, the sugars in a molasses spray caused an increase of beneficial insects such as adult lacewings, lady beetles, weevil parasitoids, big-eyed bugs, minute pirate bugs, and adult hover flies.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
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Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Though there are many variations of parasitoids, the most famous example is probably Cotesia glomerata, a parasitoid wasp that preys on caterpillars.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 July 2025
These true friends include parasitoids, predators, predatory mites and beneficial nematodes.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
However, the sugars in a molasses spray caused an increase of beneficial insects such as adult lacewings, lady beetles, weevil parasitoids, big-eyed bugs, minute pirate bugs, and adult hover flies.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for parasitoid
Cite this Entry
“Parasitoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasitoid. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
parasitoid
1 of 2 adjective
par·a·sit·oid
ˈpar-ə-sə-ˌtȯid
-ˌsīt-ˌȯid
-ˌsīt-ˌȯid
1
: resembling a parasite
2
: being a parasitoid
parasitoid
2 of 2 noun
: an insect and especially a wasp that completes its larval development within the body of another insect which it eventually kills and that is free-living as an adult
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